Curiosity, Self Image and Pain
Self-paced online Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement® Series with Deborah Bowes
The experience of chronic pain changes your self-image which is made up of how you move, think, feel, and sense yourself. Feldenkrais lessons help you to discover how to move more, sense more, think and feel in new ways that don't increase pain.
One if the main tools of the Feldenkrais Method is curiosity. Curiosity can be trained so that you can notice how you move and discover how to move differently, without pain, without judgement, starting right where you are. With awareness and learning to notice differences, you can change self-image and go from the limitations of thinking 'I can't' to the freedom of 'I can'.
A series for anyone who has an interest in chronic pain, such as, someone who has pain, or loves someone with pain, or works with clients with pain.
Awareness Through Movement lessons accessible for all levels of movement and awareness ability + discussion topics including:
• self-image
• calming the nervous system
• how to better pace yourself
• using metaphor for thinking about pain
• self-care strategies
• the principles of good movement
“The series helped me, more than I think I fully understand yet, to learn to be in a better relationship to pain—a better relationship to myself, really—as I cope with chronic pain…” -Anonymous
"I started the workshop looking for good information and lessons to use as part of my curriculum at a local pain clinic where I teach the Feldenkrais Method. Deborah you did not fail to produce! What wonderful, inspirational discussions. I’ve found this so helpful in organizing my thoughts on how to present the Method to my group." - Jill Duran, Feldenkrais Practitioner
Series includes:
7 video classes with talks + Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement lessons
17 downloadable audio recordings These are clips of the 7 video classes edited for ease of access
Q and A with Deborah
“Curiosity is a sign of health in man and in animal.” -Moshe Feldenkrais
What people are saying:
“Deborah's care and sincerity were tangible at all times; these qualities are just as important as her knowledge.” -James McAndrew
“I absolutely loved the lesson that involved breathing. I learned so much! I was totally unaware about my breath holding pattern. A world of difference! Like a true breath of fresh air:)” -Anonymous
“It helped to relieve a pain in the hip/glute muscles, which had been keeping me from running for months.” -Anonymous
“I learned to notice more about my stress (worry, frustration, upset) holding patterns. Releasing contraction in the jaw, hands, throat, feet allows a pause in the stress cycle.” -Anonymous
“I better understand the far-reaching aspects of living with pain.” -Katarina Halm, M.A., CFT, GCFP
“I loved experiencing and observing how Deborah demonstrated permissive language and curiosity in many traditional lessons, slowing them way down.” -Mara Yale, Feldenkrais practitioner
“After doing the lessons I was able to bring some of the ideas into my practice to help people with pain.” -Rachel Rudansky, Certified Rolfer
About Deborah Bowes:
Deborah Bowes is a Feldenkrais® Teacher and Trainer. She initially trained as a physical therapist at Columbia University in New York and later earned a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Shenandoah University in Virginia. She holds a B.S. in Biology and Physical Education from Rhode Island College.
As a Guild Certified Trainer of the Feldenkrais Method® since 2000, she has taught widely in the United States, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Australia and Colombia for 14 different training organizations and in over 32 training programs. Her other related in-depth studies and practices include Tai Chi Chuan, Qigong, yoga, sensory awareness, meditation, and dance.
Deborah co-founded the San Francisco Feldenkrais® Center for Movement and Awareness in 1988, and for the past 30 years, has provided Feldenkrais lessons, classes, and workshops to adults and children. She has made many presentations and trainings to professional organizations, university programs, hospitals, and other professional groups.
She is an adjunct faculty member at Saybrook University, teaching Movement Modalities and Wellness. Her doctoral research demonstrated the benefit of her original Feldenkrais Method program, Pelvic Health and Awareness for men and women, for improving pelvic floor health.
Listen to Feldenkrais Podcast #4 with Deborah as she talks about her model for working with chronic pain. The feedback from the public and Feldenkrais Teachers has been very positive.